Charlottetown authorities issue a warning to the public regarding an active phone scam involving individuals posing as police officers to illicitly gather personal and financial data. The scammers utilize spoofing technology to make it seem like calls are originating from Charlottetown Police Service’s non-emergency line, 902-629-4172, displaying “City of Charlottetown” on caller IDs.
Reports indicate that the callers often identify themselves as “Officer Miller,” a non-existent figure within the agency, and proceed to request personal or financial details from unsuspecting individuals. The police emphasize that authentic law enforcement officers would never ask for personal information or use financial details for identity verification over the phone.
To safeguard against such scams, the police recommend refraining from sharing personal, banking, or financial information over the phone, promptly ending suspicious calls and blocking the number if feasible, and verifying the authenticity of calls directly with Charlottetown police by requesting the caller’s name, file number, and purpose of the call.
Individuals receiving dubious or potentially fraudulent calls are urged to report them to Charlottetown Police Services at 902-629-4172 or through P.E.I. Crime Stoppers. For further guidance on fraud prevention, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre offers additional resources and information.